February 26, 2007

Martin Scorsese

It took 26 years, six directing nominations and two screenplay nominations, but Martin Scorsese finally has his Oscar.

Righting an injustice that had swelled with each snub of his illustrious career, on Sunday the Academy honored him with the best-directing Oscar for "The Departed."

After receiving a rousing standing ovation from the Kodak Theatre crowd, the fast-talking filmmaker didn't make a fuss about his long-awaited Oscar win — but acknowledged the sentiment.

"So many people over the years have been wishing this for me," Scorsese said before rattling off encounters with strangers in elevators and dentist offices. "And I'm saying thank you."

Still, after Scorsese accepted the statue from presenter Steven Spielberg, he joked in disbelief: "Could you double-check the envelope?"

One of the stars of the film, Jack Nicholson, waited offstage to emotionally hug the director after his speech.

It was a matter of minutes before Scorsese experienced another first — a best picture win. While Scorsese looked on from the wings, "The Departed" was announced as best picture.

The story of rival mob and police moles remade from the Hong Kong thriller "Infernal Affairs" was the most popular film at the box office ($128.6 million) among the best-picture nominees. It also won for best adapted screenplay and best editing.

In years past, Scorsese's "Taxi Driver," "Raging Bull," "Goodfellas," "Gangs of New York" and "The Aviator" all lost their best-picture bids.

As the losses mounted, Scorsese had clearly sought the statue, and seemed likely to finally win it two years ago for directing "The Aviator." But he lost to Clint Eastwood, whose "Million Dollar Baby" and some wondered if Eastwood would again spoil Scorsese's chances this year. Eastwood was nominated for directing the esteemed but little-seen "Letters from Iwo Jima," which was also up for best picture.